Inflatable textile winder



INFLATABLE TEXTILE WINDER Filed Aug. 5. 1968 III/V 6 1V 7' 0 R J: fare 6. In) 4440/; I. 64/100 fmxi'm United States Patent U.S. Cl. 24246.4 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An expandable self-contained chuck member facilitating the winding of yarns, filaments etc. on receiving members and including means precluding rotation of the latter before, after andduring an initial or final winding operation.

This invention relates to an expanding chuck assembly functioning to securely retain a receiying member on which yarns, filaments etc. are Wound. The chuck assembly as disclosed herein comprises a spool-like member having wide end portions of cylindrical configuration and which embodies all components of the expansion means. Constructed in this manner, and as explained as the disclosure progresses, it will be understood that the subject chuck assembly is self-contained, that is all operating components of the assembly are located within the assembly. The expansion assembly, as disclosed herein is utilized with yarn takeup apparatus as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,116.

The chuck assembly as disclosed herein includes a braking facility which when actuated precludes rotation of the chuck assembly and the yarn receiving member with respect to a shaft on which the chuck assembly is supported. The brake means becomes effective at the conclusion of a winding operation and functions to arrest rotation of the chuck assembly and receiving member during the initial or final phases of a winding operation and, therefore, lessens the possibility of filaments becoming tangled or loosening on the receiving member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an expansion type chuck, adapted to retain a receiving member thereon and on which a continuous filament or the like is to be wound, which is self-contained.

Another object is to provide an expansion type chuck including brake means functioning to preclude loosening and tangling of a filament during the initial or terminal phases of a winding operation.

FIG. 1 is an end view of the expanding chuck as disclosed herein.

'FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22 of the latter figure.

Referring to the drawing, a preferred embodiment of the expanding chuck assembly 11, as disclosed herein, is shownin the figures. Major components of the assembly 11 include a mandrel assembly, a receiving member and a brake assembly 12, 14 and 16, respectively.

The mandrel assembly 12, generally of spool-like configuration, includes end portions 17 and 18 and a body portion 19. The assembly 12 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 21, the latter having a fixed relation with respect to stationary structure of take-up apparatus (not shown) and with which the shaft 21 is associated. Rotation of the assembly 12, on the shaft 21, is provided by a pair of roller bearings 20 mounted in the portions 17 and 18.

Each of the end portions 17 and 18 has an annular recess 22 formed therein which opens on the peripheral surface of the mandrel assembly 12. The recesses 22 are rendered fluid tight by elastic bands 23 which are held in place by O-rings 24 surrounding the assembly 12. By

'ice

referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the bands 23 and O-rings 24, especially when the recesses 22 are not pressurized, are positioned and substantially define a continuation of the peripheral surface of the assembly 12.

Referring further to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the left-hand end of the shaft 21 has a bore 26- formed therein. The bore 26 provides a passageway for pressurized fluid which in turn communicates with the recesses 22 through bores 27, enlarged central portion 28 of the assembly 12 and bores 29.

The brake means 16 is mounted in the portion 17, substantially as shown in FIG. 2 and functions to arrest rotational movement of the assembly 12 when actuated. The means 16 includes a housing portion 31 and a plunger or brake portion 32. The portions 31 and 32 are of cylindrical configuration and have a concentric relation with respect to each other and with respect to the portion 17. Central apertures 33 are provided in the portions 31 and 32 enabling the latter to be mounted on the shaft 21. The portion 32 of the brake means 16 is received in a central recess '30 which is circular in cross-section. The annular face of the portion 32 has a juxtaposed relation with respect to a circular face 36 of the mandrel assembly 12 and carries a fabric lining 34. The lining 34 functioning as a braking surface in a manner presently explained. The relative longitudinal position of the portion 31 with respect to the shaft 21 is maintained by means of retaining rings 37 While sliding movement is made possible by a key 38. Pressurized fluid is transmitted to the brake means 16 via a line 41. The plunger 32 of the brake assembly 16 is rendered fluid tight with respect to the housing portion 31 by means of an O-ring 42 positioned between mating surfaces thereof.

Construction of the assembly 11 is completed by a sleeve 43 of hollow cylindrical configuration received in a surrounding relation with respect to mandrel 12 and having an abutting relation with respect to an annular flange 44 provided on the portion 17 of the assembly 12. Accordingly it will be seen that rotation of the mandrel assembly 12 may be completely arrested while the member 43 is positioned on or removed from the assembly 12. This is made possible by actuating the brake means 16, the manner in which the brake means functions is believed apparent and further explanation in this respect is not believed necessary. It should be pointed out, however, that pressurized fluid entering the recesses 22' results in expanding the bands 23 causing them to contact the inner surface of the sleeve member 43 precluding relative movement thereof with respect to the assembly 12. Rotation or free-wheeling of the assembly 12 is not only precluded, as a result of the above operation, but rotational movement of the sleeve member 43 is arrested during the time a filament or strand of yarn is secured to the member 43.

The assembly 11 is rotated on the shaft 21 by means of a drive roll (not shown), this movement being imparted to the assembly 11 by friction in a conventional manner by the aforementioned drive roll. At the end of a Winding operation the means 16 is activated, thus rotation of the assembly 11 is precluded while the end of the filament etc. is secured to the member 43 and the member removed from the assembly 12. Thus unwinding of the sleeve member 43 is precluded, due to accidental rotation or free-wheeling of the assembly 11, on the shaft 21. Fluid pressure in the recesses 22 is then released making possible the removable of the sleeve-member 43.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of putting the invention into 3 effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In apparatus for effecting a winding operation in which a continuous filament is wound on a receiving member, comprising:

(a) a shaft adapted to be mounted in apparatus for effecting a winding operation and having a fixed relation with respect to fixed members of the apparatus;

(b) a spool-like mandrel assembly having end portions and a body portion extending therebetween;

(c) a recess of cylindrical configuration being defined by one of said end portions;

(d) and brake means mounted in said recess functioning to arrest rotation of said mandrel assembly on said shaft at such time as said brake means is activated.

2. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1:

(a) in which said brake means is actuated by fluid pressure;

(lb) said brake means including a housing and a plunger member both having a concentric relation with said shaft;

() and said brake means being positioned entirely within said recess.

3. In apparatus for effecting a winding operation in which a continuous filament is wound on a receiving member, comprising:

(a) a shaft adapted to be mounted in apparatus for effecting a winding operation and having a fixed relation with respect to fixed members of the apparatus;

(b) a mandrel assembly generally of cylindrical configuration and including end port-ions and a body portion extending therebetween;

(c) an annular recess formed in each of said end portions and opening on the periphery of said mandrel assembly;

(d) a sleeve-like elastic member positioned around said mandrel assembly and spanning each of said recesses rendering the recesses fluid tight;

(e) a source of pressurized fluid;

'(f) passageways extending between said fluid source and recesses and providing fluid comunication therebetween;

(g) and a hollow member of cylindrical configuration positioned on the periphery of said mandrel whereby said sleeve member is fixedly secured on said mandrel assembly at such time as said pressurized fluid is ported to said recesses.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 3:

(a) a second recess in one of said end portions having a concentric relation with respect to said shaft;

(b) and brake means mounted in said concentric recess and functioning to arrest rotation of said mandrel on said shaft at such time as said brake means is activated.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 20,229 l/ 1937 Kraft.

2,289,453 7/ 1942 Randall. 3,214,107 10/1965 Atkin 242-46.4 3,223,341 12/1965 Gadde. 3,462,092 8/ 1969 Mullins 242--46.4

NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner 

